Review of Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy

It’s not often I give five star reviews, but this book is well deserving of it. Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy is a must read for every Christian. I was struck by the similarities between the path of compromise, which the church took in the 1930s, that opened the door for Hitler’s rise, and the similar thought among liberal theologians today. While Hitler probably would have come to power without the church’s cooperation, he clearly would not have had the influence among the German people without the endorsement of the German Church. The spiritual void left in the hearts of the people when the church abandoned the foundation of scripture was quickly filled by the Reich doctrines that were introduced by the church. Without a solid spiritual foundation, the people had little discernment by which to identify the errors being propagated by the Nazi regime, and there were few willing to make a stand in the church.

Many of the misconceptions about Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life were cleared up by this book. Much of the book quoted directly from the letters of Dietrich and those close to him. Bonhoeffer’s love for the scriptures and unwillingness to abandon the truth made him an effective minister to the few people willing to acknowledge the dangerous path the nation was heading down. It also gave him the wisdom to accurately predict the actions of Hitler and the Nazi’s long before they openly made their plans known. His words, teachings, and lifestyle gave me a new found respect for this man.

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy is a lengthy book, but never once lost my interest. This book is a MUST read, and for those who will heed its warning, it serves as a reminder not to repeat history. The church is the gatekeeper of the culture, and if she doesn’t stand true to the Bible, there is little to restrain evil.

On the Word Turnings scale:

Readability and reader interest – 9

Content –10

Plot or Book Theme – 9

Overall Word Turning Value: 9.3

 

Eddie Snipes

To buy this book, click on the link below. If you are a Kindle user, the book is only $9.99.

Funny and odd newspaper headlines

1. Autos killing 110 a day, let's resolve to do better

2. Blind woman gets new kidney from dad she hasn't seen in years

3. Child's stool great for use in garden

4. Cold wave linked to temperatures

5. Dealers will hear car talk at noon

6. Death causes loneliness, feeling of isolation

7. Drunk drivers paid $1,000 in 1984

8. Enraged cow injures farmer with ax

9. Eye drops off shelf

10. Farmer Bill Dies in House

11. Grandmother of eight makes hole in one

12. House passes gas tax onto senate

13. If strike isn't settled quickly it may last a while

14. Iraqi head seeks arms

15. Is there a ring of debris around Uranus?

16. Lawmen from Mexico barbecue guests

17. Man is fatally slain

18. Milk drinkers are turning to powder

19. Miners refuse to work after death

20. Never withhold herpes from loved one

21. Nicaragua sets goal to wipe out literacy

22. Police begin campaign to run down jaywalkers

23. Quarter of a million Chinese live on water

24. Queen Mary having bottom scraped

25. Safety experts say school bus passengers should be belted

26. Smokers are productive, but death cuts efficiency

27. Something went wrong in jet crash, experts say

28. Squad helps dog bite victim

29. Stiff opposition expected to casketless funeral plan

30. Two sisters reunite after eighteen years at checkout counter

31. Two Soviet ships collide - one dies

32. War dims hope for peace

33. William Kelly was fed secretary

Really Dumb product Warning labels

1. Do not allow children to play in dishwasher.

2. On a carpenter's electric drill: "This product is not intended for use as a dentist drill!"

3. On a baby stroller: "Remove child before folding."

4. On a handheld massager: "Do not use while sleeping or unconscious."

5. On a laser print cartridge: "Do not eat."

6. On a household iron: "Never iron clothes while they are on your body."

7. On a fireplace log: "Caution, risk of fire."

8. On children's cough medicine: "Do not drive car or operate machinery."

9. On package of peanuts: "Warning, contains nuts."

10. On a chain saw: "Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands."

12. On new camera: "This camera only works when there is film inside."

13. On can of self-defense pepper spray: "Warning do not spray at people."

Letter from a marine recruit

 (NOW AT San Diego MARINE CORPS RECRUIT TRAINING) 

 

Dear Ma and Pa,

I am well.  Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and 

Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile.. Tell them to join up quick before all of
the places are filled.

 

I was restless at first because you get to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m. But I am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot, and shine some things.  No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing.

 

 Men got to shave but it is not so bad, there's warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc.., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant,pie and other regular food, but tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit by the two city boys that live on coffee. Their food, plus yours, holds you until noon when you get fed again. It's no wonder these city boys can't walk much.

 

We go on 'route marches,' which the platoon sergeant says are long walks to harden us...  If he thinks so, it's not my place to tell him different.  A 'route march' is about as far as to our mailbox at home.  Then the city guys get sore feet and we all ride back in trucks.

 

The sergeant is like a school teacher. He nags a lot. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none.

 

 This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk head and don't move, and it ain't shooting at you like the Higgett boys at home.  All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it.  You don't even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes.

 

 Then we have what they call hand-to-hand combat training. You get to wrestle with them city boys. I have to be real careful though, they break real easy.  It ain't like fighting with that ole bull at home. I'm about the best they got in this except for that Tug Jordan from over in Silver Lake ... I only beat him once..  He joined up the same time as me, but I'm only 5'6' and 130 pounds and he's 6'8' and near 300 pounds dry.

 

Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get onto this setup and come stampeding in.

 

Your loving daughter,

  Alice